COMMERCE CITY — When the Rapids signed Younes Namli this winter it was for a very specific reason. Colorado wanted their designated player to take over the game from the midfield and create attacking opportunities with possession and speed.
On Saturday night, Namli flashed that brilliance, setting up Cole Bassett on the Rapids lone goal in their 1–1 draw with Sporting Kansas City.
Taking the ball at midfield near the left touchline Namli streaked into the attacking third and crossed to the top of the box where he laid a pass across the net mouth. Diego Rubio dummied and continued his run. It was a good decision as a streaking Bassett came down the weak side to hammer the ball into the top of the net.
“The team had been ing Younes for a long time,” head coach Robin Fraser said. “If he beats that first person then he’s able to find passes on the move which allows the team to really start to build some speed into the attack. He’s made us quite dangerous.”
It was all the Rapids could muster, but their defense held considering first-place Sporting led the league in goals coming into the match.
A 29th minute rush up the field from Sporting was led by a blistering run from Gerso Fernandes, he pushed towards the net then left it for Alan Pulido. The striker’s shot from the top of the block was beautifully stopped by Rapids’ left-back Keegan Rosenberry. The attack was one of seven shots by SKC in a first half dominated by the visitors.
Rain and intensity picked up for the second half. Colorado got their first shot on target a few minutes after the break when Rosenberry interpreted the ball and threw it on to Tim Melia. It was the spark for what was to come.
“We’re getting better step by step,” Namli said. “The positive thing to take away is that we were aggressive. That’s where it starts, the last couple of games we haven’t been aggressive.”
It was the 57th minute when Namli took the account into his feet with his sparkling run. It was Basset’s, the local 19-year-old’s, first goal of the year and fourth of his MLS career.
The game changed after the goal with a few subs being made on both sides. The Rapids got two quick chances but didn’t make anything of them. Sporting took advantage in the 67th minute when a failed clearance on a corner kick found the foot of Gianluca Busio 26 yards out. Busio leveled the count at 1–1.
After a few minutes of the match being all Kansas City, including the goal, Gadi Kinda picked up a second yellow card and was ejected from the match in the 78th minute. This left his team with 10 players to finish the match and gave the Rapids a chance at the winner.
In the 80th minute, Namli sent in a ball from far away on the right-wing but the ball laid perfectly for Jonathan Lewis on the far side. Lewis connected but just mishit the ball, nailing the outside of the cage. That would be the best Rapids chance to win it.
“We could have created a couple of more chances today but the last couple of games too we were getting a lot going in the box,” Namli said. “It’s just about executing. This is not our top level, we have a lot of talent.”
RED DEAD (NO) REDEMPTION: When these two clubs matched up in MLS is Back Tournament the Rapids were shown two red cards in the second half. Even down to 9‑men Colorado equalized the game but eventually succumbed to Sporting’s efforts. Unlike Kansas City and the match in Florida, the Rapids were not able to take advantage of a shorthanded team.
BIG PICTURE: The Rapids have 16 regular-season games to go. Hovering on the cut line they’ll have seven home games and nine road games to go down the stretch. The draw on Saturday keeps them in the picture for the Western Conference’s final playoff spot.
UP NEXT: The Rapids will be in San Jose next Saturday to take on the Earthquakes. That match will be the first of four in 12 days.